Ondansetron pretreatment to alleviate pain on propofol injection: A randomized, controlled, double blinded study

We used a randomized, controlled, double-blinded design to study the effect of ondansetron (OND) pretreatment on the pain produced by the IV injection of propofol. Eighty patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: Group I received 2 mt of TV 0.9% saline pretreatment, and Group II received OND (4 mg in 2 mg/mL solution) pretreatment in the dorsum of the hand, fol lowed by propofol 1 min later. Pain was reduced significantly in the OND gr oup (P < 0.05). Approximately one third of the patients in each group had m yoclonic movements or skin rashes in the limb that received propofol. We co nclude that the OND pretreatment may be used to reduce the incidence of pai n on injection of propofol and to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting . Implications: In a double-blinded, controlled study, IV ondansetron (4 mg ) pretreatment was used to alleviate pain on injection of propofol. Ondanse tron was successful in relieving pain without any adverse effect in a signi ficant number of patients.